Data migration is a process that involves transferring data from one system or location to another. Like the migration of goods, which requires careful handling, the data migration process must also be done carefully as it can impact the integrity, security, and normal functioning of the data. Data migration can be done for various reasons like moving data from an old system to a new system or when a company splits into two. In the context of a divestiture (where an enterprise disposes some or all of its assets), Seenu Maddipuddi, an IT professional who has managed the data migration for divested retail businesses reflects upon how he managed to migrate the data from one system to another seamlessly.
One of Sreenu’s achievements has been leading the data migration efforts for a large retail organization undergoing a divestiture. The challenge was to split the existing systems and migrate data seamlessly from a shared infrastructure into two independent entities. This required detailed analysis, planning, and execution to ensure that the financial, transactional, and customer data were properly separated and stored according to legal and business requirements.
Sreenu’s approach to data migration for divested retail businesses is based upon two principles: data segmentation and masking and establishing clear data ownership.
The procedure of Data Segmentation and Masking extends to drafting specialized solutions for hiding sensitive data, like particulars about clients and staff, throughout the transition phase. Such an approach makes certain that the norms associated with data privacy are adhered to, and uninterrupted company functions are maintained during the process of transition. The concept of establishing clear data ownership signifies forming transparent governance structures and ownership models for the new entities. This aspect was vital in confirming that post-transition, both firms had access to relevant data and all such information was precisely carried over, thoroughly checked, and authorized. Sreenu’s participation in the transition process of data aimed at minimizing any interruptions to the ongoing operations of the companies. His efforts in ensuring both institutions can persist to operate independently still sharing crucial databases as required, served as an impetus to limit any operational pauses. Sreenu’s role also helped in conserving normal business processes, especially through a time when the company was undergoing company transformation.
Migration of data can also be a time-consuming process. He contributed to streamlining the migration process, which reduced the time to complete a divestiture migration. By optimizing data transfer methods and using tools such as FDT (Fast Data Transfer), he reduced migration time from 12 hours per dataset to 4 hours, which helped the project stay ahead of schedule. His role in streamlining the data migration process and utilizing cloud-based tools contributed to a 25% reduction in project costs, as they avoided reliance on third-party vendors and the internal teams managed most of the tasks in-house.
Also, during the migration of data, compliance with security is important. He worked closely with the legal teams to guarantee that the data separation was done according to industry standards and local guidelines, such as GDPR and data residency requirements.
The success of the retail divestiture project was seen when he and his team were able to achieve a 95% data migration success rate within the first phase, and there was zero downtime during the migration.
His role however did not just stop at migration, he also led the integration of the divested company’s data with its new infrastructure which included setting up new databases, changing operational systems, and ensuring seamless access to the migrated data. He also implemented data quality checks and validation tools to ensure integrity post-migration.
The transition to cloud-based infrastructure has emerged as another important trend in modern retail data migration. In another project, Sreenu with the implementation of tools like Azure Site Recovery and Storage Account Management has enabled secure and rapid data migration processes.
However, when talking about migration, there were certain things that he and his team had to take care of. One problem was to ensure the integrity of the data while migrating from one entity to another. This was addressed by Sreenu by implementing data masking techniques and automated validation scripts to ensure accurate data transfer. Then there was also the concern of complying with data protection laws like GDPR. He and his team addressed this by collaborating with legal teams to develop a data segregation framework that met the compliance requirements. Further, while migrating making sure that the normal functioning of the business doesn’t get hindered represented another challenge. For which he and his team created a comprehensive migration plan with built-in testing and fallback protocols, which ensured that the migration was smooth, without any significant downtime or disruptions.
Despite the challenges, Sreenu’s expertise, meticulous planning, attention to detail, plus determination to make the journey of migration smooth have made him a valuable asset in managing data migration projects and his experiences can be a guide for enterprises looking to migrate their operations.
Link to article –
Expert take on how to approach data migrations in divesting retail businesses
